Progress

It's still a roller coaster of emotions here. But at this moment, I'm very excited.

Yesterday I went with my school to a country club in my city. It was beautiful, and a lot of fun. on the bus rides to and from the school, everyone was singing and playing instruments. So much fun.
People here are so much warmer. I suppose it has something to do with the climate...but I know that is going to be one of the things I will miss a lot when I go back to the states.
Here its not weird to say hello to someone you recognize, even if you dont know their name, or exactly who they are. Its normal to kiss on the cheek and give a hug to people you just met. It's normal to invite people to your home, to sing, to dance, to be happy...
I met a girl from Germany yesterday, who said that at first she was not liking the city and her family and these things so much when she arrived, but now, after 5 months in Montes Claros, she does not want to leave. She said she will miss the warmth of the people, and the music, and everything.
Even though Brazil is unstable, even though its poor and a mess, its charming.
The girl from Germany said that after 2 months she could understand almost everything and speak for the most part, and I think that I'm already off to a pretty good start, so in 1 month, I think I will understand almost everything and speak somewhat.

Not speaking has been the most difficult thing for me. Sometimes I feel completely alone, in a place where the customs are different, with no hope of communication. It's difficult, but I knew it would be and I'll get through it. Once I can speak, my exchange year will actually start. Once people here know who I am, what I'm about, and I'm known as Sommer, not the American exchange student, things will be easier, more real.

But today, I went to the mall for a little while with one of my host sisters friends, who doesn't speak english, and I understood majority of the questions she asked me and could respond for the most part. My portuguese is better then it was, that's encouraging.

Today there is a huge music festival in my city. There are supposed to be at least 10,000 people there. Its going to last for 2 days, and the most famous singer in brazil (Ivete Sangalo if you want to check her out) is playing. Its going to be amazing. the music here is so much fun. In the US, when you go to concerts, for the most part, you go and listen and maybe dance a little. but here, the music...you cant help but want to dance, its so up beat and fun, and everyone loves to dance, so I know that this concert is going to be amazing. I'm very excited to go. very very.

More to come,
amo
Sommer